Steampunk has barely been tapped

I've always been a huge fan of the steampunk aesthetic. It encompasses such a wide range from victorian proper constructs quaintly puttering along to grungy and industrial contraptions and a whole lot more. I'm in the process of rethinking the Frankenstein myth and Steampunk is where I'm drawing inspiration from.

I'm not going to go into the details of the story in this blog but focus more on the art exploration and finding the visual notes and forms that bring out the narrative.

For this project, I'm looking for a metal-heavy, sooty look with forms and shapes that aren't just barrels and brass but suggest a more profound alternate industrially based technology that has reached a high level of functionality and power but isn't plastic and electronic nor wood and horses. There's two levels of technology in this story. One that is almost magical in it's ability to make things move and another that is much less sophisticated. This "steamier" technology is still created by the same folks who make the amazing technology but is purposely dumbed down to keep control of the larger population.

As this development organically progresses I'll bring out characters, places, world structure and eventually moments from the story. I hope you all enjoy some of what's on the blog and I would love to hear any thoughts or feedback you have.

I'd also like to say a special thanks to Shanth Enjeti, Nick jainschigg and my wife Gail. No one could ask for three better sounding boards and a great mixture of knowledgable and practiced art and illustration feedback and inspiration. it's good to have friends and family who push you beyond your comfort zone some times.

Big Airships need docking help from Air Tugs

Lost his arms in first struggle with the monster

Relentless hunters of the night streets

Some constructs must fall

As evening falls they descend to play

"Grounders" are not allowed to have airships

Before the accident